Cine cameras and film projectors from China
Cinematographic cameras and projectors from China, including film cameras and 16 mm or 35 mm film projectors, and other image projectors, slide projectors, photographic enlargers and reducers, and their parts, pay 0% UK duty, with no anti-dumping duty. Buyers are cinemas, archives, schools and hobbyists, so gate stability, optics and parts supply matter most.
Cinematographic cameras, film projectors, slide projectors, photographic enlargers and their parts from China pay 0% UK duty. Specs, lamps and inspection.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, cinematographic cameras and projectors, heading 9007, carried 0% on goods from China for cameras, projectors and their parts. Image projectors other than cinematographic, and photographic enlargers and reducers, heading 9008, also carried 0%, as did their parts and accessories. No line carried an anti-dumping measure.
Digital video projectors are classified as monitors and projectors under heading 8528 (see our monitors and projectors guide), and digital cameras under 8525, so confirm the commodity code. Lenses are covered in our camera lenses guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematographic cameras | 9007 10 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Cinematographic projectors | 9007 20 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Parts for cine cameras | 9007 91 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts for cine projectors | 9007 92 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Slide projectors, enlargers and reducers | 9008 50 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Parts and accessories of image projectors and enlargers | 9008 90 00 00 | 0% | None |
Electrical safety
Mains-powered projectors and enlargers fall under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and electromagnetic compatibility rules, with UKCA marking, a declaration of conformity, a UK plug or approved adaptor, and WEEE obligations. High-intensity lamps need guarding, cooling and clear lamp-change instructions.
Specifying projectors
Specify film gauge and format, frame rates, light source type and output, lens focal lengths, sound reader type, reel capacity, gate and sprocket design, voltage, and spare lamps, belts and parts.
Worked duty example
An invented example rather than a quote: 20 35 mm film projectors, commodity code 9007 20 00 90, bought for £60,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance, so £62,500 is the value customs works from. No duty is due on film projectors; import VAT at 20% of £62,500 is £12,500. If you are VAT-registered, that VAT is normally reclaimable. See calculating UK import duty and VAT for the method.
Inspection checklist
Picture: run test film and check steadiness, focus across the frame, light evenness and scratching of the film.
Mechanics: check the gate, sprockets and take-up for smooth transport and no film damage over a full reel.
Electrics and packing: check earthing, lamp housing cooling and interlocks, and that units are cushioned for transit.
What goes wrong
Projector orders fail on film handling, optics and parts. Gates scratch film, pictures weave, lamps overheat, sound readers drift, and spare parts are hard to get once the order is delivered.
Test with film, check transport over full reels, and order spares with the machines. See our quality inspection guide.
Cambridge China Bridge sources cine and slide projectors for UK cinemas, archives and schools, and has no minimum order of its own; the factory's minimum per model applies. See small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on film projectors from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, cinematographic projectors (9007 20 00 90) carried 0% from China.
Are slide projectors and enlargers the same rate?
Yes. Image projectors and photographic enlargers (9008 50 00 00) carried 0%.
Are digital video projectors in this heading?
No. Digital video projectors are classified under heading 8528.
What should be tested?
Picture steadiness, focus, light evenness and film transport without scratching.